Improvement in processes of polishing buttons



UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT H. ISBELL, OF NEW MILFORD, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROCESSES OF POLISHING BUTTONS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 150,959, dated May 19, 1874; application filed October 2'2, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT H. ISBELL, of New Milford, in the county of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, have invented a novel Method of Polishing Buttons, 850., of which the following is a specification:

This invention comprisesa novel mode of smoothing, polishing, or finishing buttons and similar articles, by subjecting them to friction in contact with prepared chalk, so called, pulverized charcoal, or equivalent fine cutting material, mingled with spirits of turpentine, naphtha, or similar liquid, which, unlike water, will not raise the grain of the vegetable ivory, horn, bone, wood, or other substance of which the buttons, &c., may be composed. By this means such articles may be brought, in a few hours, to a better finish than by the old method continued for several days.

In carrying my improved process into practice, I take the buttons or otherarticles-such, for instance, as checker-meneither as they come from the turning or shaping mechanism, or, when colored, as they come from the dye or color suitably applied and allowed to become dried or fixed thereon. I then mingle any desired quantity of the articles, by measure, with, say, a double measure of prepared chalk, or of pulverized charcoal, or of any other substance possessed of similar fine cutting, smoothing, or abrading properties. I then add to the whole any desired quantity of spirits of turpentine or of naphtha, or of any like liquid which, when brought in contact with the material of which the articles are made, will not, as it is technically termed, raise the grain thereof. The proportion of the chalk or its equivalent, and also of the liquid, may be varied within wide limits, without affecting the principle of my invention.

The mass thus .formed is placed within a tumbling-box, or rotating vessel of any or dinary 0r suitable kind, which is then revolved during a space of several hours, (the time required varying somewhat, according to the material of which the articles are made, and

the character of the abrading substance used,) until the frictional action exerted upon the articles by the abradin g material in the presence of the liquid, which assists its action, have reduced the surfaces to the requisite smoothness.

WVhen preferred, the articles, together with the liquid and abrading substance in suitable proportions, may be placed in the tumblingbox without previous admixture, the operation of the box insuring their cornmingling, and the subsequent polishing effect.

When desired, inlieu of atight tumbling-box,

wholly retaining its contents, one perforated or made of cloth or fibrous material may be used, provided it is run in a trough to retain. upon or in contact with the articles, and with the abrading substance, the spirits of turpeutine, naphtha, or other liquid essential to the proper operation of the abradin g substance.

1n the absence of the liquids hereinbefore particularly specified, alcohol or kerosene may be used, but with inferiorresults. It will, moreover, be understood that in place of the tumbling-box of either kind herein previously indicated, any other mechanical appliance may be used, whereby the buttons, 850., may be subjected to friction in contact with fine cutting substance and a liquid possessed of the properties herein set forth as essential.

It will further be understood that the tumbling-box itself, in either of the forms hereinbefore indicated, is old and well known, and is adopted by me simply as a suitable and efficient mechanical agency for carrying into practice the process of finishing buttons by sub jecting them to frictional action in contact with the substances herein previously fully set forth, such treatment of the buttons, &c., constituting the gist or essence of my invention.

What I claim as my invention is- The within-described method of polishing buttons, 800., by subjecting them to friction in contact with a fine cutting material and turpentine, naphtha, or equivalent liquid, substantially as herein set forth.

ROBERT H. ISBELL. 

